International Playhouse — The Rocking Chair — By Jean Claude Brisville, translated and adapted by Vernon Dobtcheff. A brash young publisher has sacked the literary manager, an older man who has spent his whole career reading in the rocking chair in his office. The confrontation develops into a game of menace, revealing the two very different characters and eventually a third, Sean, a painter and illustrator, also threatened with dismissal if Oswald's philosophy wins the day. Stars Alec McCowen, Martin Jarvis and Peter Acre. ABC Radio National, Thursday, August 25, 2.05pm.
That's History — This week's program looks at the history and culture of the Cherokee Indians and their influence on the democratic system in the US. ABC Radio National, Friday, August 26, 7.10pm.
Arts National — Including A Sea of Better Love. "The sea has better love than anyone. It is deep enough for all the souls of the world to be washed clean." Theodotia lives in Dobsonville, a suburb of Soweto — the largest city in South Africa. She is a member of a small church called the Temple of Christ Church in Zion that was founded last year and holds services in a small earth-floored shed in the Bishop's backyard. Dressed in bright green and white to signify the cleansing power of the sea, its members sing gloriously for us. ABC Radio National, Saturday, August 27, 3.30pm.
Fictions — Words of One Syllable — By Richard Barrett. Frank is a dying man who is confronting the knowledge that his son is a homosexual who would rather live in another town with his lover than take over the family home after Frank's death and care for his mother. This is a play which charts the dynamics of family life in all its tensions, love and humour. Frank is played by Max Phipps. ABC Radio National, Sunday, August 28, 3.05pm.
Soundstage — Tales My Father Taught Me — By Peter Terson. Sir George Sitwell was the father of the poet Dame Edith Sitwell and her two brothers, Osbert and Sacheverell. He was an eccentric, autocratic aristocrat whose main preoccupations before World War I were running the family estate at Renishaw, research into medieval pig-keeping and making his son Osbert do whatever Osbert didn't want to do. The excellent cast is led by John Gielgud as Sir George. Produced for the BBC by Shaun MacLoughlin. ABC Classic FM, Tuesday, August 30, 8pm.
Brekky Current Affairs is Back! — Current affairs is back with a vengeance every weekday morning. Tune in for BBC news at 7am, comprehensive news bulletins every half hour and stay tuned after the 8.30am news for the latest in local and national current affairs. "Like breakfast in a street cafe." 2SER-FM, every weekday, 7am.
Affected — Industrial, thrash and music that's just plain weird. 2NUR-FM, Saturdays, 1am.